Step 1: Prepare the Timber

Step 1 - I started with a hardwood block cut from an old sleeper, this piece was very rough and warped.

Step 2 - Place a piece of timber along your table and clamp it down, this will act as a stop for your piece to push against.

Step 3- Use either an electric plane or manual plane to flatten surface and ensure that its reasonably smooth. Work both sides evenly.

Step 2: Cut to Size

What you will need!

- Compound Mitre Saw or Handsaw

Step 1 - Measure your piece of timber and mark it out to the length you want. (My board is 250mm or 25cm long)

Step 2 - Cut the board at the marked line.

Step 3: Get the Rounded Edges

What you will need!

- Compound Mitre Saw or Handsaw- Roll of tape

Step 1 - Using a roll of electrical tape, mark out the curve at each corner of the piece of timber.

Step 2 - Using a saw cut off the very edge of the timber to save your self some sanding time.

Step 4: Drill Your Finger Hole

What you will need!

- Electric Drill - 22mm Spade Drill Bit

Step 1 - Measure equally in on both sides and mark out your hole placement (Mine is 30mm or 3cm in on either side.)

Step 2 - Using the spade drill bit, bore a hole through your piece, making sure you don't take large chips of timber off the other side.

Step 5: Sand the Corners

What you will need!

- Belt Sander or Dremel or Hand Sand

Step 1 - Using a belt sander turn it upside down and clamp it to your table, (I suspect this isnt very good for your belt sander, but mine is a cheap model)

Step 2 - Begin sanding the edges of your chopping board till they became rounded. Do this carefully as to not go to far or have sharp edges.

Step 6: Sanding the Top

What you will need!

- Belt Sander or Hand Sand

Step 1 - Clamp your piece to the table and sand the top and bottom surfaces smooth, removing any marks left by your planer. The more time spent in this step the smoother your end result will be.

Step 7: Rounding the Corners

What you will need!

- Belt Sander or Hand Sand

Step 1 - Clamp your piece to the table, begin sanding the edges to begin rounding them. Do this progressively to ensure you don't take too much off at once.

Step 2 - Do this to each corner on both sides of the board. Trying to make each edge look the same.

Step 8: Sanding Your Edges Smooth

What you will need!

- Orbital Sander - Hand Sand

Step 1 - Using an orbital sander begin smoothing the edges of your board made by the rough belt sander.

Step 2 - Once reasonably smooth, begin using a piece of sand paper in your hand to smooth any fine imperfections.

Step 9: Mark Out Your Lines

What you will need!

- Pen - Ruler - Tri-Square

Step 1 - The pattern is completely up to you, but ill tell you how I made my design. Find the centre of both the top and side of the board, mark out a line.

Step 2- Using a tri-square make a line 30mm or 3cm in from the side of the board. Mark our your triangles and join them.

Step 10: Score Your Lines

What you will need!

- Sharp Blade - Ruler - Orbital Sander or Hand Sand

Step 1 - Using a ruler mark along the lines with the blade so that there is a defined mark in the timber.

Step 2 - Continue to mark all the triangles on the board.

Step 3 - Using sand paper remove all the lines that you marked out on the board. This will only leave the marks that you gouged into the timber with the blade. Be careful not to sand too much, otherwise you will remove the marks that you made with the blade.

Step 11: Mark and Burn Your Design

What you will need!

- Masking Tape- Soldering Iron

Step 1 - Using Masking tape, line it up with the marks you made with your blade. By doing this it will help you define where you will be burning, also it will provide a small amount of protection if you accidentally burn an area you shouldn't.

Step 2 - After turning on your soldering iron and letting it heat up, slowly and carefully use the soldering iron to burn the area which you had marked out. This does take a while but get comfortable and be patient.

Step 3 - Remove masking tape.

Step 12: Oil Your Chopping Board

What you will need!

- Rags- Food Safe Oil

There are plenty of oils on the market that are food safe, along with oils you may find in your own home. Such as olive oil, linseed oil and many many more. Look on-line for food safe oils.

Step 1 - Coat your board with a couple of layers of oil to ensure it is completely covered and will last.

Step 2 -Let it dry, and ENJOY!

Try out other designs and sizes

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